Kashmir's new intiative: Sufi tourism circuits in state

JAMMU, March 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government today said that Pilgrim and Sufi

circuits in the state are on the anvil.

Replying to a question raised by Pir Afaq (PDP) during Question Hour in the state Assembly, Minister for Urban Local Bodies and Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora today said in the House that in order to promote tourism in the state, the government has submitted two projects to the Centre for funding.

A project report of Rs 50 crore for developing Pilgrim circuit in Jammu and another project report of Rs 50 crore for developing Sufi circuit in Kashmir are under the Centre's consideration.

Once the Central government gives its nod, necessary works will be taken up, he said.

Responding to a question of Jagdish Raj Saploia (BJP) in the House, Jora said that 90 percent tourism related works of the state's four tourism circuits, taken up at a cumulative cost of Rs 20 crore, have been completed.

Infrastructure at Suchetgarh and Chambliyal have been created to promote border tourism in Jammu, he said.

The government will submit another project report to the Centre for further upgrading infrastructure at these spots, Jora said adding that a project report has already been submitted for Central funding, to create tourism-related infrastructure at Balisa.

The Minister said that works to the tune of Rs 8 crore have been taken up in Basholi, Dhar Mhanpur, Sanangath, Sialag and Ranjit Sagar Lake, to develop them as potential tourist spots.

He said, recently the Centre has sanctioned another He said, recently the Centre has sanctioned another project of Rs 3.70 crore for development of tourism potential in the area.

The government will encourage water sports through private partners in the area, for which easy loans and subsidy are available, the Minister added.

PTI